The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(33)
Somehow she hid her dismay; he believed he was giving her something she really wanted. The thought of being obliged to travel several hundred miles in a closed carriage filled her with horror. She was equally unhappy about the thought of being pampered and spoilt – she just wasn't that sort of girl. 'And I shall be the best wife that I can. I love you too and cannot wait to reach Salamanca so I can be your true wife.'
It took them almost two weeks to reach this city. Zorro and herself were the only members of the group that were disappointed to see it. She would have liked the journey to continue for several weeks more but everyone else in their small party, including the equines, seemed relieved to be there. Jenkins had gone ahead the day before to find them the best lodgings he could.
He met them at the city gates. 'I've rented a grand house for you, your grace, cost a fair bit, mind, but I reckon it's worth every penny. Follow me and I'll take you there.'
Everywhere Sofia looked there was another wonder to behold. The magnificent buildings glowed orange in the sunlight, the ravages of the battles that had taken place a few months ago had mostly been removed.
Elegant women in dark gowns and lace headdresses glided about the place followed by their servants carrying baskets full of interesting items. The gentlemen, their black hair oiled back, walked together in their black suits and snowy white shirts.
'The Plaza Mayor is no more than a hundred yards from the house that I rented, my lord. I've never seen the like, and I've travelled most places on the continent,' Jenkins said.
The house proved to be everything he had said and more. The occupiers had perished in the battle and the owners were delighted to have rich English aristocracy stay there at an exorbitant rent. It was fully staffed and was the most luxurious building she had ever set foot in.
The major-domo conducted them to their apartments. Beau had been given the most palatial, as was only right as he was the Duke of Silchester, but the accommodation she and Perry had was almost as wonderful.
'The first thing I want is a bath. I shall send for hot water immediately.'
'No need to do that, sweetheart, see here, we have a joint sitting room and matching bedchambers and dressing rooms. There is already a bath ready and waiting for each of us.'
He kissed her hard and her pulse skittered. Would he suggest they tumble into bed before they went downstairs? She had thought she could stay away from him, possibly have the marriage annulled, but that was foolish thinking. He was her husband and she his wife, they had promised they would be the best they could be and she, for one, would not go back on her word.
Her ability to converse in their native tongue with the two maids allocated to her made things so much easier. Whilst she luxuriated in the rose-scented water the girls had unpacked the saddle bags and one of them had run off to press her three gowns.
Her fingers were wrinkled by the time she stepped out into the waiting, warmed towels. She could hear male voices from the sitting room so guessed that Beau had joined her husband. She was tardy, but had no intention of hurrying, she was far too relaxed after her long immersion in the water.
Her hair still had to be redressed and that would take some time as there was so much of it. Without thinking she raised her voice. 'Perry, I shall be another half an hour, I will join you downstairs when I am ready.'
The bedchamber door opened and he strolled in. Apart from a clean shirt and freshly tied neckcloth, he looked no different than he had before. He still had on his riding clothes. She was about to comment but then understood he had nothing else as their limited luggage had been given over to her.
'My love, there are servants who can take messages. There is no necessity for you to yell in order to bring me to your side.'
'Fiddlesticks to that! I was going to have my hair arranged elaborately but I don't think I will bother.' She spoke rapidly to the girl and it took just a few moments for her long plait to be curled around her head and pinned in place.
'There, I am ready. I cannot wait to explore this beautiful city, we have ample time as dinner will not be served until nine o'clock.'
He took her hand and kissed her knuckle. 'Dinner will be served at whatever time we decide is convenient to us.'
'Then we are eating before we go out?'
'No, my brother and I have decided we rather like eating late so today at least we shall dine in the dark. Come along, sweetheart, I want to show you around this grand house before we promenade around the square.'
There were some further half a dozen bedchambers on this floor, and servants' quarters and the nursery floors above. Everywhere was immaculate, a little ornate for her taste, but one had to admire the abundance of gold on everything.
'This is the most impressive room, my love, and I wish to keep it until last,' Perry said as he pushed open huge double doors with a flourish.
'A ballroom – it's absolutely stunning. See how high the ceilings are? Look at the murals, the marble pillars, I've never seen anything quite so beautiful.' She ran from one delight to the next exclaiming in amazement.
She turned to see her husband and brother-in-law watching her, their smiles were indulgent as if she were a child at a party and not a woman grown. Her pleasure trickled away to be replaced by annoyance. If they thought her childish then she would behave as they expected.
She clapped her hands as if she were a silly debutante. 'We must have a ball here before we leave. I can wear my wedding gown. You must both arrange for evening dress, as well as the other things you need, to be made for you.' She smiled brightly and the two men exchanged glances.